Activity Stats : 1st January – 30th June 2024
209 Animals admitted:
83 Cats 37 Rabbits 89 small mammals
182 Animals adopted:
68 Cats 46 Rabbits 68 small mammals
Because of your kindness, so many animals have found happiness and safety in the branch’s care this year (see stats above). But with longer than ever waiting times to find a forever home, some animals are waiting months, not weeks, to be adopted. Here at the branch we’ve been on a mission to make sure that the animals in our care live as normal as possible lives whilst they wait to find their new families. We’ve placed all adult cats into foster homes, long stay rabbits and nursing queens with kittens have double pens, and small animals have super-sized enclosures, all so that we can honour yours and theirs trust in us to do right by them. Whether you make a monetary donation, volunteer your time or buy much needed items for the animals, please know that together we are changing animals’ lives for the better.
Fighting for all animals, however big or small
Out of the 89 rats, hamsters and guinea pigs we have admitted so far this year, 37 of those have been ‘case’ animals. This typically means that their owners are being investigated for animal welfare offences, which may result in court proceedings.
Rats Lennon and Frankie rats spent 418 days in our care before their owners were convicted on 5 counts of causing severe deprivation and suffering to 112 rats. Sadly, many of the rats have not outlived the time it took to conclude proceedings, but thankfully these two remaining boys did and have since been adopted by their foster carers.
Staff & Volunteer Coffee Morning
Recently we held a commemorative coffee morning for the 200th Anniversary of the RSPCA and to celebrate the dozens of dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver the work of the branch. The event gave us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of our long-serving team members.
Hannah celebrates an incredible 15 years of service this year! Her roles as a volunteer have been extremely diverse, from hands on animal roles to keeping things in working order behind the scenes. We are truly lucky to have someone so kind hearted and dedicated to the cause as Hannah is. At present, she singlehandedly runs several of our social media pages and it is thanks to her that we actually have the most followed Facebook page of any RSPCA Branch!
Another long service award went to Stephanie, pictured above, who also celebrates 15 years of service. She started out as a part time deputy at our Chorlton shop, and went on to become an integral part of our team. Stephanie has been behind the expansion of our shop network over the past 15 years, setting up Didsbury, Northern Quarter and Withington shops! Whilst our shops allow us to raise a lot of the funds we need to look after 400+ animals a year, it is only possible thanks to the people in the communities for being so generous with their donations and custom.
Over the years Stephanie has forged strong relations with our supporters and proven to be a driving force behind so much goodwill. We maybe an animal charity, but It is people who make everything we do possible.
A Sector in Crisis – what happens next?
In June our Branch hit a record-low in adoptions and admissions, whilst the National RSPCA reported 1,300 rescued animals are in temporary housing at a cost of £500,000 a month. Throughput has never been so low and there are no spaces left in animal centres and foster homes across the RSPCA network. When we can’t find adoptive homes for family-friendly, healthy animals, and even puppies and kittens are overlooked, what is the solution?
Without doubt the ever-decreasing neutering of companion animals is a contributing factor. Whether that is down to a lack of pet welfare knowledge, or unaffordable and unobtainable veterinary services, one thing for sure is we are in trouble – big trouble. If there are no homes for the animals rescued and relinquished, what happens next?
25 years ago the overpopulation of companion animals was ‘managed’ through euthanasia. Unless attitudes change towards pet ownership and acquisition we are facing a trajectory that will likely lead to such drastic measures again. So, if you know someone looking for a companion animal, please encourage them to check out one of the many accredited rescues in the UK.
Case 1: Gareth Mousegate
Gareth Mousegate had a less than ideal start to life. At just 2 months old, he found himself at the National RSPCA-run animal hospital in Salford after a member of the public witnessed him being injured. They were not sure whether he was thrown from the car, or hit by the car, but xrays confirmed the reason he couldn’t walk on his left hind leg was because he had a fracture on his thigh bone. Once settled on pain relief, Gareth was transferred into our care where he spent 4 weeks in a special facility that enables cats with fractures to enjoy plenty of human contact whilst still being on restricted rest. Thankfully, he was soon pain-free and playing. He enjoyed all the cuddles he received and purred all the way through his recovery! Thanks to you, committed animal lovers, this resilient little chap now has a long life ahead of him and a home to go to in the pipeline.
Case 2: Annabelle
Like most of the animals who come to us, 3 year old Annabelle was not in good shape when she arrived. Luckily for her she had come to the best place to look after her needs, with our expertise in small animals. Behaviourally, she blossomed and became such an affectionate sweet girl. Physically, however, she did not improve as hoped. Veterinary investigations pointed towards a problem with her liver, but an ultrasound provided the definitive answer. Annabelle had uterine cancer which had spread into her liver. 80% of female rabbits from 3 years onwards will develop cancerous changes in the womb. Neutering prevents this and means they are able to live long and healthy lives.
Those who cared for Annabelle have been devastated by her preventable loss, the only solace being that in the 8 weeks she spent with us, she was cherished and shown what it means to be loved. Thank you for enabling us to help Annabelle.
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